(in Pis. 28, 29), though in another place he speaks
of him in the following high terms :--Sironem et Philodemum cum optimos
viros, tum doctissimos homines
(De Fin. 2.35); and indeed, in
the former passage, while attacking his character, he praises his poetical skill and elegance,
his knowledge of philosophy, and his general information, in the highest terms. From the
language of Cicero, it may be inferred that Philodemus was one of the most distinguished
Epicurean philosophers of his time, and that he lived on terms of intimacy with men of the
highest rank in Rome. He is also mentioned by Diogenes Laertius (10.3), by Strabo (Sat. 1.2.
121).
His epigrams were included in the Anthology of Philip of Thessalonica, and he seems to have been the earliest poet who had a place in that collection. The Greek Anthology contains thirty-four of them, which are chiefly of a light and amatory character, and which quite bear out Cicero's statements concerning the licentiousness of his matter and the elegance of his manner.
Of his prose writings Diogenes (l.c.) quotes from the tenth book
Menag. ad Diog. Läcrt. l.c. ; Fabric. Bibl.
Graec. vol. iii. p. 609, iv. p. 491; Brunck, Anal. vol. ii. p. 83;
Jacobs, Anth. Graec. vol. ii. p. 70, xiii. p. 937; Orelli, Onom. Tullian. s. v.